Nonessentials

Great little shop for unique gifts and bulk tea. Prices aren’t clearly labeled and fighting for staff help considering their popularity can be a challenge. Try to get in during a slow day

Looking for exactly what the shop name says, Nonessentials? Then you’ve come to the right place. Friendly employees, and all sorts of nic-​nacs from teas, to cooking ware, food, fancy pastas anyway you get it. Perfect place to pick up a gift for a house warming, Mother’s Day etc.

I love Denise and her selection. If you are looking for that special gift or a great addition to dinner like a strange mustard or olive oil this is the go to place. So many things and not enough money. Don’t forget the chocolates while you are there. Mmmm.

This is a cute place to stop in and stock up on things made locally like spices or even Chapstick. There are also some amazing chocolate truffles and homemade ice cream. Yes, it is a bit pricey, but I love the idea of supporting those who live locally. :)

I agree with another review that the women in here are cold. Being new to the area I was excited when I walked in to see a lot of things I liked and would have bought. After being in the store for 15 minutes they were very snarky to me and my 3 year old daughter who was being very well behaved but wanted to carry around some pinwheels while I browsed (They rudely made her put them away). My mom and I both put down the stuff we were going to buy and left after feeling like we were a burden to them.
I may try again some other time (and maybe the stars will change) because I love tea and they had a big selection of loose leaf, and a lot of good looking sauces, rubs/​seasonings, oils and vinegars, along with a lot of other nice things. For now I’ll stick to summit tea and spice, teavana and other specialty stores in anchorage for my special wants and needs.
I gave two stars for the variety of things and the potential.

One of my stops while perusing downtown Palmer. While there are a lot of cool «Made In Alaska» items to be bought here, the prices are pretty expensive. Picked up an expensive bottle of jalapeño stuffed olives because I’m a sucker for stuffed olives. But as far as souvenirs to bring back to California, I found them elsewhere at a much more reasonable price.
I guess if you have the money to spend, Nonessentials might have what you’re looking for.

I’m a fan; this is a cute (and rather large for Palmer) gift shop for all things of culinary delights. Birch candies, AK-​made spice rubs and dip mixes, Napa valley olive oil, Le Crueset cookware, truffles, homemade jams all can be found here. This could be a great place to pick up some items for gift baskets, or to pick up something to decorate your own kitchen.
Susan mentioned they don’t bother to greet you, but that wasn’t my experience at all. The lady was very nice and answered my questions about her products.

This is one of those shops that I’ve mentioned in other reviews that don’t bother to greet you when you enter. However, the last time I stopped in someone did greet me! A friendly shop girl was there, greeted me and was helpful too! (the owner was out setting up a booth for the fair).
Usually I find the atmosphere in Non Essentials to be kind of uppity, clique-​y like Palmer can be, but they do have a fantastic selection of locally made items. Spices, rubs, soup mixes, jewelry, scarves, art, glass pieces, syrups, candles, soaps, tea. .. I could go on. It’s a good place to get a unique gift item. I sometimes stop in for the out-​of-​staters on my list. It’s not a shop I frequent that often, maybe that has something to do with me thinking it’s kind of snooty. There just really isn’t anywhere else in Palmer to get the kinds of items they carry at Non Essentials.